Mikel Arteta's transfer plan regarding Julian Alvarez has emerged
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta during the Community Shield Press Conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 14, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have plenty more business left in the transfer window(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal's summer transfer activity is showing no signs of slowing, with Mikel Arteta understood to have his sights set on the possibility of a marquee addition before the window shuts.
The Gunners head into the new season in great shape after dismantling Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield at the weekend — a result that served as a powerful early statement of intent and secured their first piece of silverware in the 2026/27 campaign.
There is a strong case to be made that Arsenal enter this season as the team to beat in the Premier League title race. The arrivals of Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes have bolstered an already talented squad, with those four signings costing just under £150million combined.
Despite that outlay, Arteta is understood to be pushing for further reinforcements, specifically a versatile defensive option and a world class forward, ahead of the September 1 deadline. To free up both funds and squad space, a clutch of first-team names are also expected to move on over the coming weeks.
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Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus and Myles Lewis-Skelly have all emerged as candidates for departure. With Friday's Premier League opener against Coventry City fast approaching, football.london takes a look at the two most significant transfer developments currently surrounding the north London club.
Mikel Arteta’s transfer plan clear
Arsenal are reportedly biding their time until late in the transfer window to assess whether they can land one of their primary targets. There has been considerable speculation surrounding Arteta's hunt for a world-class attacker this summer, having initially pursued Morgan Rogers and then Vinicius Junior, only to fall short in both attempts.
Juventus' Turkish forward #10 Kenan Yildiz reacts during the friendly football match between Juventus and Juventus Next Gen in the Allianz Stadium in Turin, on August 17, 2026. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal have been linked with Kenan Yildiz this summer(Image: MARCO BERTORELLO, AFP via Getty Images)
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However, The Athletic reports that while there has been a significant emphasis on the left wing, there is a degree of flexibility regarding the position Arsenal's next marquee signing will occupy, depending on which of their key forward targets becomes available.
Their two main long-term targets still available, albeit commanding substantial fees, are Juventus' Kenan Yildiz and Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez. The former recently penned a contract extension and is reportedly valued at around £86m, while Alvarez could set the Gunners back in excess of £120m.
Having already secured Tzolis, Arsenal are in no hurry to recruit another forward. Instead, they are intending to hold off until late in the window to determine whether the market makes one of the aforementioned stars accessible.
Julian Alvarez discussed
Julian Alvarez during the training day of Atletico de Madrid at Ciudad Deportiva Wanda Atletico de Madrid on August 12, 2026, in Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Alvarez returned to Atletico Madrid last week but will not play against Malaga on Wednesday(Image: Europa Press Sports, Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Atletico manager Diego Simeone confirmed that Alvarez will not feature in his side's La Liga opener against Malaga on Wednesday night due to a lack of fitness. The 26-year-old has consistently been linked with a departure this summer, with Barcelona and Arsenal emerging as the two most prominent clubs vying for his signature.
When asked whether Alvarez could feature, Simeone said via Marca: "I still think the same way. I take care of the sporting side. We've been talking as we always do. From a sporting perspective, we need more training sessions with him so he can improve. He's one of the best attacking players... if not the best."
Alvarez was afforded an extended rest period following Argentina's run to the World Cup final. Reporters throughout the recent press conference pressed Simeone repeatedly on Alvarez's future and Atletico's ongoing legal dispute with Barcelona over the player. Nevertheless, the manager was unequivocal in his stance that his prized striker is not for sale.
He said: "I think if the club owner spoke so bluntly about what he said, that's all there is to it, it's more than clear. This is like when you go to court... there's nothing more to it. We take care of the person and the player, we understand that he's not in condition to play in this match."
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